Ecce and Old Earth by Jack Vance

creatures become torpid during the afternoon.”
    “Because of the heat. You will go torpid, as well.”
    “I'll load the small swamp crawler on the afterdeck of the Skyrie. It might make the climb up Shattorak easier, perhaps safer.”
    “Words like 'easy' and 'safe' don’t apply on Ecce.”
    Glawen looked off out the window. “I hope to survive.”
    “I hope so too,“ said Bodwyn Wook.
    “Then you will approve the plan?”
    “Not so fast. Assume you are able to climb Shattorak, what then?”
    “I'll arrive at the prison strip outside the stockade. With luck, I'll find my father at once, and we will return down the hill with as little commotion as possible. If his absence is noticed, it will be assumed that he tried to escape across the jungle."
    Bodwyn Wook gave a disparaging grunt. “That is the optimum case. You might be detected, or trip some kind of alarm."
    “The same would be true of any attempt at reconnaissance."
    Bodwyn Wook shook his head. “Scharde is a lucky man. If I were captured, I wonder who would come for me.”
    "I would, sir.”
    “Very well, Glawen. I see that you are determined to have your way. Use prudence. Do not challenge unfavorable odds. Clattuc élan is useless on Mount Shattorak. Secondly, if you cannot rescue your father, bring away another person who can supply us with information.”
    “Very well, sir. What of radio communication?”
    “We don’t have peepers (5).There has never before been any need for such things. You must do without. Now then, what else?"
    “You might call Chilke and mention that he is to proceed on the Skyrie.”
    “Very well. Anything more?”
    “You should know that Egon Tamm has invited me to Riverview House. He wants me to read Floreste's letter to Dame Clytie Vergence and some of the other LPFers.”
    “Hmf. You have become quite the society man. I suppose you want a copy of the letter."
    “I already have one, sir.”
    “That is all, Glawen! Be off with you!”
    _______________________________
    5) Peepers: transceivers which first encode a message then compress it into a 'peep' a billionth of a second long, which can be transmitted without fear of detection.
     

V.
    Shortly before noon Glawen arrived at Riverview House, where he was admitted into the shadowy front hall by Egon Tamm himself. In the last few months, so it seemed to Glawen, Egon had aged perceptibly. Gray dusted the dark hair at his temples; his clear olive complexion had taken on an ivory pallor. He greeted Glawen in more than ordinary cordiality. “In all candor, Glawen, I am not enjoying my present company. I find it difficult to maintain my official detachment.”
    “Dame Clytie is evidently in good form.”
    “The best! She is at it now, pacing up and down the parlor, exposing criminals, issuing manifestoes, and generally expounding her new pantology. Julian calls out, ‘Hear, hear!’, from time to time and tries one debonair attitude after another, so that Flitz will notice him. Lewyn Barduys listens with half an ear. I cannot guess what he is thinking; his mind is opaque. Warden Fergus and Dame Larica are both staid and proper, and sit in dignified silence. I am not anxious to draw Dame Clytie’s fire, so I too am discreet.”
    "Warden Ballinder is not on hand, then?”
    “Unfortunately not. Dame Clytie ranges the field unchallenged."
    “Hmf,” said Glawen. “Maybe my appearance will distract her."
    Egon Tamm smiled. “Floreste’s letter will distract her. You brought the letter, I hope?”
    “It is in my pocket.”
    "Come along then. It is almost time for lunch.”
    The two passed through an arched passage into a large airy parlor with tall windows to south and west overlooking a wide expanse of lagoon. The walls were enameled white, as was the celling save for the ceiling beams which retained their natural age-darkened color. Three rugs patterned in green, black, white and russet lay on the floor; couches and chairs were upholstered in dull green twill. On